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Nicole Michmerhuizen Takes Second in 5K at NCAA III Indoor Track and Field Championships

Friday, March 14, 2014

LINCOLN, NE - Calvin College senior Nicole Michmerhuizen came up with one of the finest racing performances of her collegiate career Friday night ast the NCAA III Indoor Track and Field Championships at the University of Nebraska’s Bob DeVaney Sports Complex.

The Holland Christian High School graduate took second place in the 5,000 meters with a career-best time of 16:41.26. Lenore Moreno of Luverne University (Ca.) won the race with an NCAA III record time of 16:32.85, breaking the previous NCAA III record by nearly four seconds.

Michmerhuizen started out near the back of the back through the opening lap-and-a-half but quickly moved to the front and then challenged Moreno for the early lead through the first quarter of the race. Moreno then found an extra gear and moved out to a sizable lead that she would continue to build on throughout the race.

Michmerhuizen also began to gain clear of the rest of the pack near the mid-way mark of the race and ran alone in second place for the final 10 minutes of the race.

It marks the second consecutive national runner-up finish by Michmerhuizen in the 5,000 meters indoors. A year ago she took second place with a time of 16:57.58.

On Friday, she bettered her indoor-best by more than 16 seconds. Prior to Friday, her season-best time in the race had been 17:01.38 as she entered the race seeded fifth.

A native of Holland, Michmerhuizen finished nearly six seconds ahead of Amy Cymerman of St. Lawrence University who placed third in a time of 16:47.21.

“Nicole ran a beautiful race,” said Calvin distance coach Brian Diemer. “She got out into the front of the pack early on and then she got into a strong rhythm. She made an early run at first place but you have to credit Lenore Moreno for running a fabulous record-setting race. Nicole was only five seconds off the previous Division III record herself which shows you the type of performance she put in. We are all very proud of her.”

Michmerhuizen still has one race to run at the indoor national meet as she will compete in the 3,000 meters Saturday afternoon where she is seeded seventh.

The finish by Michmerhuizen gives Calvin eight points in the overall team standings. It is also the third NCAA III All-America performance of her collegiate career. In addition to her back-to-back runner-up berths in the 5K indoors, she was also the 10,000 meter national champion at the 2013 NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships.